Song of
Solomon
There is some disagreement
among Bible teachers as to just what the Song of Solomon is all about. To many
it is simply a song that magnifies the joys of two people in love. Its essence
is in its tender and devoted expressions of the delights of wedded love. It
seems to me that since marriage was ordained of God, this song could be an expression
of the love of two people whom the Lord has made one in His holy bonds.
At most weddings that I have
attended the minister has read from Ephesians 5. Here Paul says, "For this
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his
wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak
concerning Christ, and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in
particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife, see that she
reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:31‑33).
The Apostle Paul likened the
relationship between the husband and wife as that between Christ and the
church. This, therefore, could be God's revelation to us as to the beauty and
joys of two people in holy matrimony.
Just as the rest of the Old
Testament teaches us deep and abiding lessons about Jesus Christ and the life
He came to give us, the Song of Solomon is no exception. Christ is the central
theme of the entire Bible and this book can give us insight into the
relationship of Christ and His people. So even in the literal interpretation of
the book we learn eternal truths.
It shows the believer in
Christ overcoming the things that would separate him from his Lord: The
allurements of the world and the temptations that come his way or a test of his
love. It also shows the joy and happiness of the child of God, safe in the love
of Christ and having the assurance that nothing can come between him and his
Lord.
I have often wondered why
this book is not only called the Song of Solomon, but also the "Song of
Songs." One reason could be that Solomon condensed the best of his 1,005
songs which he wrote. "And he spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs
were a thousand and five." (I Kings 4:32)
Another possible solution is
this: you will recall that this is not the only song in the Bible. They were
sung under special circumstances and are charged with the significance of the
moment. The souls of the singers were so gripped by the event that they burst
into song, the most expressive way the overflowing heart can release its
praise.
Moses sang two songs. One
concerned the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians when Israel was trapped
at the Red Sea. When God destroyed the Egyptians and saved His people, Moses
sang, "Who is like unto thee, 0 Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee,
glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out
thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the
people whom thou hast redeemed; thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy
holy habitation." (Exodus 15:11‑13)
The second song was sung
when they were delivered from the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
"Give ear, 0 ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, Oh earth, the words
of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the
dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass,
because I will publish the name of the Lord; ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment; a God of
truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." (Deuteronomy 32:1‑4)
There is also the song of
Hannah. This is a song of thanksgiving when God answered her prayer for a
child. "There is none holy like the Lord; for there is none beside thee,
neither is there any rock like our God." (I Samuel 2:2)
Then there is the song of
David, a song of thanksgiving for God's deliverance from his enemies, from the
hand of Saul, and for God's many blessings. "The Lord is my rock, and my
fortress, and my deliverer, the God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my
shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior;
thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (II Samuel 22:2‑4)
Let me encourage you to
study this song of Solomon. Let the Lord speak to your heart from these pages
of His Holy Word.
© Copyright
2002, LeRoy Eims